THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION
The Second Sunday in Lent – 5th March 2023

Hymn: 207 Forty Days and Forty Nights
THE GREETING
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.                                     

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PENITENCE
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 
Matthew 22: 37-39

Lord, have mercy on us,
and write these your laws in our hearts.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins, to intercede for us in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us then confess our sins in penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God's commandments and to live in love and peace:

Silence
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen. 
THE ABSOLUTION

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Page 260 

COLLECT ONE 
Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

OR

COLLECT TWO 
Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth that they may return to the way of righteousness: Grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 

The Lenten Collect  - Page 259
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING: Exodus 24: 12-18
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.’
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

THE PSALM: 121
Response: I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

THE EPISTLE READING: 2 Peter 1: 16-21
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

CHILDREN’S PRAYER

CHILDREN’S HYMN: 100 Jesus loves me 

THE GOSPEL READING: Matthew 17: 1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

THE SERMON

THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen  
 
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
At the end of the Intercessions the following is said:
Merciful Father, accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord, whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.

THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be always with you 

Offertory Hymn: 635 Lord, be my guardian

THE TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us therefore let us celebrate the feast. 
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord is here.    His Spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts.    We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.    It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Father, almighty and everliving God, at all times and in all places it is right to give you thanks and praise: 
And so with all your people, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, Father, the creator and sustainer of all things; you made us in your own image, male and female you created us; even when we turned away from you, you never ceased to care for us, but in your love and mercy you freed us from the slavery of sin, giving your only begotten Son to become man and suffer death on the cross to redeem us; he made there the one complete and all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world: he instituted, and in his holy Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death until he comes again: On the night that he was betrayed he took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to you, he gave it to them, saying, Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in    remembrance of me. Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:
we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.
Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit that we may be made one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in us and we in him: Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

THE LORD'S PRAYER
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.                           
We being many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

THE COMMUNION
Communion Hymns: T&P 9 As we gather, T&P 26 Come, Lord, and meet us, T&P 28 Come, thou fount 

THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER Page 261
Creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for these holy mysteries given us by our Lord Jesus Christ, by which we receive your grace and are assured of your love, which is through him now and for ever. 

THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies o be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

THE BLESSING 

HYMN: 217 All glory, laud, and honour

ANNOUNCEMENTS for Sunday 5th March 2023
Bishops’ Appeal 
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development has launched a call for donations to help the people of Turkey and Syria following the earthquake on Monday (6th February) which has resulted in over 47,000 deaths. Bishops’ Appeal immediately released €10,000 from its reserves to Christian Aid for its work in the area, and is encouraging parishes to contribute to this appeal in support of Christian Aid over the coming Sundays. Envelopes are available in the pews, the Cathedral porch and the Office. 
Confirmation Class
Next class is on Monday 6th March at 6.30pm in the Hilliard Room.
Lenten Project
Lenten Boxes and Gift Aid Envelopes are available in the Cathedral porch to support Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund.
Parenting Wellness Group
St Macartin's Cathedral Parenting Wellness Group for March will meet at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) at 2.00pm on Saturday 11th March for an Equine Farm Walk. Activities will include pond dipping, petting horses and a nature walk. Parents and children of all ages welcome. Please contact Linda Kingston, on 07342045474 in advance, to book your place. 
Mothers’ Union 
The next meeting, ‘Visitor’s Night’ is on Monday 13th March at 7.30pm in the Main Hall, Cathedral Hall. Margaret Owens is the speaker and the subject of her talk, ‘One more step along the way’. Everyone welcome.
Lenten Lunches
Fermanagh Churches Forum invite you to a Lenten lunch in the Hilliard Room, St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall on Wednesday 15th March at 12.30pm. A light lunch will be provided and Rev Stephen McWhirter will lead the reflections.
Quadricentennial Service
St Macartin’s Day, 24th March at 7.30pm. Preacher, The Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Rev John McDowell. Invitations are available in the Cathedral porch to invite family and friends.
Flower Festival
Friday 26th to Monday 29th May, 9.00am to 8.00pm each day, closing on Monday 29th at 5.00pm. Teas available all day. Lunches or evening meals for large groups and bus trips must be pre booked.
Wednesday in Lent 8th March 
7.30pm - Service of Compline
Mid Week Service
Thursday 9th March
11.00am – Holy Communion 
Sunday 12th March - The Second Sunday in Lent 
9.00am – Holy Communion 
11.00am – Morning Prayer